Buying/Test driving an R129 SL600...what to look for?!

[PHAB]

Hi everyone,

Im on the hunt for an R129 SL600 and am looking at one this weekend which could be the one. It is a 3 owner (past owner for 10 years) very late example (1999) with 83k on the clock and full main dealer history. All the nice options which is good. The V12 is a must for me.....call me what you will...its going to be a toy and so I want to go big .

From what I can gather, it has been owned by someone who has enjoyed (but not loved) it for what it is, has spent every penny its required on it to keep it going as intended and so it presents as a cared for, but not loved, 'city SL' with the odd minor ding/cosmetic blemish but nothing serious. As such there are no silly alloys, aftermarket radios etc...all encouraging.

My question to you is...what should I be looking for in particular on these cars? I have a good eye and Im a car person so I know about the basics (roof, rust, aircon, electrics, fluid levels etc) but is there anything specific to these that I really should hunt out? My main concern is obviously ADS. The ticking time bomb...widow maker...call it what you will. What should I look for / How can I detect a potential ADS issue without a warning light being on or taking it to a main dealer for a thorough once over? I fully appreciate this car is going to cost its fair share to keep going and do not intend on running it on a shoe string...in fact in time I plan to do a soft restoration to bring it back to its former glory...but other than ADS are there other potential detectable issues that mean one must must walk away if found? I assume the car should drive as any very refined big V12 would and ride like its on a magic carpet...

Thanks very much in advance for any helpful pointers.

 

[dinoy]

12 cylinder 6000cc engine is the one which has problems u need to make sure it is not starting to show signs of that, as they very rare and rebuild costs will be expensive.

AMG opted to take 5000cc v8 version to make sl60 rather than 12 cylinders.

there is hardly much difference in power between std 5000cc AMG 6000cc V8 anf 6000c v12

not sure if the gearbox is also special for sl 600 somebody else perhaps and highlight other issues

enjoy the w129 whatever is your choice

 

[ShinyF1]

I would look for 'a 500', but they seem to be very thin on the ground...

 

[BTB 500]

ADS is OK. The most common issue is that the accumulators ('spheres') fail - these are effectively consumables, like shock absorbers on a car with normal suspension. If there's no evidence of them having been replaced recently they WILL need doing at some point ... cost on mine was about £900 (for all 4) at a specialist a couple of years ago. Symptom if they have failed is hard/bouncy suspension ... you don't get any warning lights etc. and you might not notice driving a lowish speeds on smooth roads.

Check that the car raises/lowers OK - there's a rocker switch by the knob that controls the lights. It goes up (quite slowly) in 2 stages (1 light or 2 on the rocker). Also check that the sport/normal rocker switch on the centre console (has a picture of a shock absorber on it) works i.e. the LED goes on/off and the suspension firms up with the LED on (another symptom of the spheres having gone is that this switch makes no difference).

Unlike later M-B suspension, strut failures, valve failures etc. are relatively rare with ADS and parts are cheaper.

The V12 is a nice engine but it's virtually silent in normal driving which is not what I'd want personally in a reasonably sporty 2-seat convertible. Complex & heavy too. The V8 AMG (SL60) is the best engine IMO but they are rare and cost a fortune compared to the 500, which is good enough for most people (me included).

Lots of general info. on R129s here - check the operation of the hood very carefully, run it over at least a couple of lower/raise cycles. Check all the electrics including seat & steering column adjustment, windows, roll bar. Obviously any warning lights would be a major concern. Check the plastic windows in the hood for any sign of cracks (these start at the edge, where the hood folds as it goes down). Replacement is around £400.

 

[PHAB]

Thanks very much guys will report back once Ive driven the car. Much appreciated.

 

[DSB SL AMG]

This should be of help...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhX0Y2wQfqo&feature=youtu.be

 

[BTB 500]

This should be of help...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhX0Y2wQfqo&feature=youtu.be

There are a couple of past threads on that e.g.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/181241-harrys-garage-r129-sl600.html

 

[DSB SL AMG]

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